Bestselling Author Raises More than $50,000 for Alzheimer’s Research at TSRI

Author Tess Gerritsen has raised more than $50,000 to support Alzheimer’s research at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, rallying nearly 400 donors to give almost $28,000 and personally contributing $25,000 in matching funds. The bestselling creator of the “Rizzoli & Isles” suspense series launched the War on Alzheimer’s campaign in memory of her father, who died from the disease.

“We are deeply grateful to Tess and everyone who participated in her thoughtful and creative fundraising campaign,” said Michael A. Marletta, president and CEO of TSRI. “The support will enhance our innovative Alzheimer's research program and help us find new ways to fight this terrible disease.”

Gerritsen’s War on Alzheimer’s campaign spanned two months and raised funds through an online raffle. Two grand prize-winning donors won the opportunity to name characters in Gerritsen’s next “Rizzoli & Isles” novel, set for release in 2014. Andrea Pearson, an author from Lehi, UT, and Douglas Dorow of Minneapolis, MN, who lost his mother to Alzheimer’s, will submit names to Gerritsen that will remain secret until the novel’s publication. The author will create their characters at her discretion, and warns they could even turn up as villains.

“Watching my father lose his identity, as he struggled with Alzheimer’s, devastated our family and created a deep fear of memory loss in me,” said Gerritsen. “So I sought—through this campaign—to support those heroic scientists battling this terrifying disease. And I truly believe we are close to a cure. Inviting donors to name characters in my upcoming novel brought us together around this important cause, and I imagine it will be fun for the winners to see their ‘names’ chatting with Jane and Maura on the page!”

Three runner-up donors also won prize packages in the campaign raffle: a signed copy of Gerritsen’s most recent hardcover, “Last to Die” earrings, and a “Rizzoli & Isles”-themed baseball cap, T-shirt and surgical scrub top. Runner-up winners include: Author Nick Spill, of Miami Beach, FL, whose mother died of Alzheimer’s; Jennifer Selzer of Toluca Lake, CA; and Jean Cheszek of Palatine, IL, who lost both parents to the disease and has been deeply involved in another Alzheimer’s fundraising initiative, the “Alzheimer’s Art Quilt.”

Though the first stage of the War on Alzheimer’s is complete, donors can continue to contribute via the campaign’s fundraising campaign at http://www.gofundme.com/War-on-Alzheimers or on TSRI’s website at https://www.scripps.edu/philanthropy/donate-now. Anyone who has witnessed the suffering of a loved one from Alzheimer’s is also encouraged to continue sharing stories on Gerritsen’s tribute page at http://www.tessgerritsen.com/war-on-alzheimers-tribute-page.

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